Louisiana Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In Louisiana, a child must turn 5 by September 30 to start kindergarten that fall. Louisiana does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. Louisiana's public pre-K program, LA 4 Public Pre-Kindergarten, is available to eligible families (age 4 by September 30; at-risk families (free/reduced-lunch eligible) prioritized).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 30 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | LA 4 Public Pre-Kindergarten — eligibility-based |
| Compulsory school age | 5 |
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Louisiana age cutoffs — the details
Kindergarten and TK cutoffs are set by state law; preschool has no legal age cutoff because it is private. Kindergarten is mandatory for children who turn 5 by September 30 (R.S. 17:151.3); a one-year deferral is allowed if the child is only 4 on the first day. Cutoff verified from the official Louisiana source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.
Preschools in Louisiana
Kindergarten cutoffs in nearby states
Cutoff dates differ across the West South Central states — a birthday that misses the cutoff in one state can make it in another.